Brownie (Girl Guides)

A Brownie is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 7 and 10. Exact age limits are slightly different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Cub Scouts.

History

Brownies were first organized by Lord Baden-Powell in 1914, to complete the range of age groups both for girls and boys in Scouting. They were first run as the youngest group in the Guide Association by Agnes Baden-Powell, Lord Baden-Powell's younger sister. In 1918 His wife, Lady Olave Baden-Powell, took over the responsibility for the Girl Guides and thus for Brownies.

Originally the girls were called Rosebuds, but were renamed by Lord Baden-Powell after the girls had complained that they didn't like their name. Their name comes from the story "The Brownies" by Juliana Horatia Ewing, written in 1870. In the story two children, Tommy and Betty, learn that children can be helpful Brownies or lazy boggarts.

Motto, Promise And Law

Australia

In Australia (which phased out the distinction between Brownies and "full" Guides in 1996) the Guiding Promise is::I promise that I will do my best,:to do my duty to God,:to serve the Queen and my country, :to help other people, and to keep the Guide law.

Canada

In Canada, the Brownie Promise is::I promise to do my best,:To be true to myself, my God/Faith and Canada,:I will help other people,:And keep the Brownie Law.

Canadian Girl Guides are able to choose to either say the word God or Faith in the promise.

The Canadian Brownie Law is::As a Brownie I am honest and kind. I help take care of the world around me.

The Canadian Brownie Motto is::Lend a Hand

ingapore

The Singaporean Brownie Promise is::I promise to do my best, :to do my duty to God, :to serve my country, :help other people and to :keep the Brownie Law.

The Singaporean Brownie law is: :a brownie obeys and respect her elders.:a brownie thinks of others before herself.:a brownie tells the truth.:a brownie is neat and tidy.:a brownie is thrifty.:a brownie plays and works cheerfully.

The Singaporean Brownie Moto is:Lend a hand

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the Brownie Promise is::I promise that I will do my best,:To love my God,:To serve the Queen and my country,:to help other people,:And to keep the Brownie Guide Law.

The Brownie Guide Law is::A Brownie Guide thinks of others before herself and does a good turn every day.

The Brownie motto used to be Lend a Hand (LAH). With the introduction of the new program in the United Kingdom, the motto was dropped for Brownies.

United States of America

In the United States of America, the Girl Scout Promise is::On my honor, I will try::To serve God and my country,:To help people at all times,:And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Girl Scouts are given a choice of "whatever word your spiritual beliefs dictate" in place of the word God. [http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/promise_law/]

ee also

*Girl Guide and Girl Scout
*Girlguiding UK
*Girl Scouts of the USA
*Pax Hill
*Cub Scout
*Boy Scout

References

External links

* [http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/ Girlguiding UK]
* [http://www.girlguides.ca/ Girl Guides of Canada]
* [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16052/16052-h/16052-h.htm#thebrownies The Brownies And Other Tales] by Juliana Horatia Ewing, 1870, from Project Gutenberg

Scouting Sections
organization = Guiding
sectionA = Rainbow Guides
sectionB = Brownie Guides
sectionC = Girl Guides
sectionD = Ranger Guides